Anticonceptivos orales en pacientes con psicopatología alimentaria: implicaciones etiopatogénicas y terapéuticas.

Introduction. The role of oral contraceptives (OC) in psychiatry illness has been object of little attention. In particular, there is scarce scientific literature regarding its influence in the pathogenesis and treatment of eating psychopathology. Clinical Case. We describe the case of a 16 years-old woman, who developed an anorexia nervosa after the administration of an OC for the treatment of a mild hyperandrogenic hirsutism. After the implementation of cognitive-behavioral and psychopharmacological (SSRI) interventions, weight restoration was attained, disappearing anorectic cognitions and dysfunctional eating behaviors. Conclusions. The study of OC in eating psycho- pathology is in an early stage, being androgenic regulation postulated as main factor mediating this association. In patients with anorexia nervosa, is mandatory carrying out longitudinal research, given preliminary evidence suggesting the involvement of OC as a risk factor, either through decreased levels of testosterone or greater fear of gaining weight among those users with weight gain after its administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]